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Chevrolet Malibu Maxx knocking problems

17 of the 1,074 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2005 model year.

owner complaints
17
worst model year
2005
typical mileage
36,500
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 15, 2022 · Steering · WY

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the power steering assist fault message was displayed and the steering wheel became very difficult to turn in either direction. Additionally, there was a ticking sound coming from the steering column while turning the steering wheel. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V153000 (Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 17, 2017 · Steering · 175,000 miles · NC

Steering wheel has numerous problems. Had a knocking noise since I brought 3 years ago. Steering wheel tightens up and very hard to turn and tightens more while trying to make turns at slow speeds . Now happening some times when I put into reverse. Been trying to teach my son how to drive and wheel to tight for him to practice turns. A few weeks ago he almost ran into a bush when pulling out from a stop sign because the steering wheel wouldn't turn. Had him put the car in park in the middle of the street while on coming cars had to stop and wait for us to switch drivers. Getting worse/tighter over time. If the wheel is slightly turned and I put in drive the car jumps ahead with no control over the steering. Already took in for recall's for power steering so when I called was told all my recalls had been done and expired. Last few days the wheel is shaking the closer I drive to 55 MPH. Clearly the steering has issues that seems to be a continuous problem and gm not willing to make right. A driving hazard!

Filed May 11, 2013 · Steering · 15,000 miles · TX

Steering locked up when I was exiting the highway. I was going about 45 miles an hour. I heard the warning bell ding and the warning displayed "power steering failure". I almost crashed because I couldn't steer. It took all the power I could muster to steer. If my wife would have been driving it would have killed her. Also my steering wheel sometimes will jolt back and forth sometimes when the car is idling in park. Finally the steering makes a loud audible "thunk" whenever I turn the wheel out of neutral position, and it sounds like the wheels are going to fall off when I hit any kind of bump or rough road. As for the power steering failure I took it to the chevy dealership and they said that they could not duplicate it. It happened about a dozen times so far and the dealership shrugs their shoulders and says "it didn't do it for me". The knocking or thunking noise seems to be a problem on every 06 malibu on the road. Is somebody going to do something about this? Or do we just have to have enough fatalities to force something to happen?

Filed Jan 19, 2012 · Steering · 24,536 miles · CT

Knocking noise in the steering column. Had to have iit fixed twice and it now does it again. This is a repetative problem and it appears that this car has a design issue.

Filed Aug 30, 2011 · Steering · 103,000 miles · OH

Knocking noise in the steering column, noise and difficulty turning. Noticable play in the steering of the vehicle. Occurs several times a week, I refuse to drive my car on the freeway or at high speeds in fear of electric power steering going out.

Filed Mar 7, 2011 · Steering · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 chevrolet malibu maxx. The contact stated that the vehicle was exhibiting an unusual knocking and the steering wheel was exhibiting an abnormal grinding. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the steering shaft and steering gear was defective. The vehicle was repaired yet the failure persisted. The contact received a notice from the manufacturer regarding the steering but they stated that they would not repair the vehicle until a failure occurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The current mileage was approximately 145,000 and the failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 21, 2010 · Steering · 114,000 miles · PA · crash

2006 chevy malibu maxx. Power steering lock up on turns, pulling away at a light, going straight steering moves intermittently to the left or right and becomes hard to control. The power steering indicator does not always show on message center, sometimes it only dings repeatedly. And you can hear a ticking noise from the dash. When it stops working the steering also will go in the opposite direction you are driving.

Filed Mar 12, 2010 · Steering · 45,000 miles · MS

Power steering control I have a 2004 chevy malibu maxx v6, I bought new a few months later I heard a faint knocking in the steering wheel each year it became more noticeable. Now the service engine light comes on with the message of power steering. I have complained and had a number of diagnostic checks that are different results. Chevy refuse to acknowledge the numerous complaints. My power steering failed on me going down the highway behind an 18 wheeler, I struggled just to get across 1 lane and onto the shoulder. I was too scared to turn the car off because I was 10 mi. Away from home. So I slowly drove down the highway once I made it home I turned the car off and later turned it back on with power back in my steering wheel. This is just as dangerous as toyota cars. There need to be a full investigation this is one of many complaints I have posted with no results!!!!!!!!

Filed Feb 25, 2010 · Brakes, Engine · FL

2005 malibu maxx ls- ticking noise shaft went rod tire electrical problems engine on but nothing is registering car seem to lock up, same brake light goes out, car hesitates,replaced brakes after only 2yr, new tire. I filed a complain with attorney general bill mccollum. I have invoices of how many time my car has gone in to the shop for major problems and ever since it lock up and hesitate I don't feel safe driving it. I did found other consumer with the same complains that I have. They have had to repair tire rods, shaft and most dangerous is the steering column is locking up. I don't feel safe driving long distance or on the highway. Please help me. I wrote to gmac vp timothy lee with out no respond. Mr. Lee passed my complaint to a customer service rep that repeats himself and wont let you speak. Please if you want contact attorney office they have my complaint on file. I don't want to hurt myself or someone else should my car lock up.

Filed Jan 26, 2010 · Steering · 67,000 miles · MS

I have a 2006 chevy malibu maxx that has been knocking near the front end, indicating possible cv joint issues or some other suspension or steering problems. I have had the tie rods replaced once but the symptoms later returned. Most recently, the power steering failed, locking during a right turn and causing me to drive out of my lane. This has happened on at least 3 occasions in january 2010 and thankfully has not resulted in an accident. Had my wife been driving with her bad back, she would not have had the strength to control the car and avoid a potential accident. I took it to my local mechanic who told me it was the electronic steering system and the column needed to be replaced. He also told me that there are literally hundreds of forums discussing this exact problem in the same model vehicle over about 4 model years but there was no recall. There is an obvious problem with the steering in this model vehicle and needs to be fixed and recalled before someone gets seriously hurt or killed.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx knocking

Which Chevrolet Malibu Maxx years have engine knocking or ticking problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2005 (7 complaints), 2004 (6 complaints) and 2006 (4 complaints).

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